The U.S. Rhodes Scholar designation, available to United States citizens and lawful permanent residents, has been awarded yearly since 1904. Overseen by the Rhodes Trust in honor of the will of Cecil J. Rhodes, the program provides full funding for those interested in pursuing degrees at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
The program is selective, but casts its net widely. Even after more than 100 years of operation, at least one Rhodes Scholar per year usually comes from an institution which has not previously participated in the program. Rather than looking at the prestige of the student's school of origin, the Rhodes Scholar program assesses applicants for scholarly rigor, strength of character, and commitment to improving the world around them. Rhodes Scholars are expected to use their new skills to lead the way in their careers.